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Article
Publication date: 1 August 2005

Tracey Leacock

The purpose of this paper is to provide details on Simon Fraser University's new School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SIAT) approach to creating a culture that supports…

3111

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide details on Simon Fraser University's new School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SIAT) approach to creating a culture that supports rapid development of high‐quality e‐learning materials, why it has been successful, and what has been learned.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes how, over a period of four years SIAT has had the unique opportunity to build an integrated set of graduate and undergraduate degree programs from the ground up. The organization has recognized the importance of its people – both in terms of the knowledge they bring to the organization, and the added value it gains by providing an environment where all employees can continue to learn – from courses, from their own experience, and from each other.

Findings

Because of the organization's structured, yet flexible, approach to course design and development workflow, each set of courses was ready just as the students became ready to take them. The organizational culture's combination of clear structure, openness to new ideas, and commitment to high quality courseware has enabled us to meet the needs of our students and prepare them for careers in today's high‐tech workforce.

Originality/value

SIAT have developed best practices for the implementation of organizational e‐learning strategies and the approach will be useful in informing the strategies adopted by other organizations.

Details

The Learning Organization, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-6474

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2001

Peter W. Williams and Joseph Kelly

Emerging initiatives in British Columbia and elsewhere clearly suggest that by working with tourism stakeholders, the wine industry can not only contribute to the development of…

4518

Abstract

Emerging initiatives in British Columbia and elsewhere clearly suggest that by working with tourism stakeholders, the wine industry can not only contribute to the development of rural tourism, but it can also gain valuable direct marketing and value added sales advantages. For these benefits to be fully realized, more must be known about the character of travel markets interested in wine tourism. To provide insights into BC's domestic wine tourist markets, this research involves two overriding phases of investigation. Initially, it conducts an overview analysis of BC's domestic wine tourists. The second phase of the study involves describing a small but valuable and growing niche market of culturally oriented wine tourists. It then suggests several product development strategies suited to attracting and retaining such wine tourists. The strategies relate to incorporating a range of wine and non‐wine related activities into the tourism experience, creating strong connections between local wines and regional cuisine, building cultural and heritage dimensions into wine tourism product packages, incorporating and promoting environmentally friendly resource management practices; and, protecting wine tourism landscapes. While the empirical part of this investigation is focused on BC wine tourists, the findings provide insights into strategies suited to other wine producing regions in Canada and elsewhere.

Details

International Journal of Wine Marketing, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-7541

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1987

Mark N. Wexler

Grid‐group analysis is grounded in a humanistic conception of social science but, it is argued, it has flaws when applied to the analysis of the environmental movement…

139

Abstract

Grid‐group analysis is grounded in a humanistic conception of social science but, it is argued, it has flaws when applied to the analysis of the environmental movement. Environmentalism is not “border” country particularly as existing only in opposition to a “centre”. Grid‐group analysis loses clarity when forced into a “border versus centre” format. And the grid‐group analysis of sub‐cultures is not sufficiently well developed; the lack of a clear holistic frame plays havoc with efforts to derive solid policy.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 29 August 2017

Nancy Johnston

This chapter outlines four specific challenges that graduates of higher education face as they transition from school to work in the new millennium: (1) The myth of a linear…

Abstract

This chapter outlines four specific challenges that graduates of higher education face as they transition from school to work in the new millennium: (1) The myth of a linear connection between studies and career options; (2) the purported gap between the skills and knowledge learned in school and the skills and knowledge needed in the workplace; (3) the challenge of preparing for multiple careers over a lifetime; (4) the need for lifelong learning. Learning how to transfer skills and knowledge across multiple contexts, and the ability for effective self-direction, are proposed as two important ways that job seekers themselves can effectively respond to these challenges. Higher education institutions are challenged to explicitly incorporate more reflection and other metacognitive practices into their curricula. They are also challenged to provide many (and varied) opportunities for students to transfer what they know and can do across multiple contexts, both in and outside of the classroom. Learners are encouraged to engage in greater self-direction of their academic and career trajectories and more fully understand how to create and find work by mobilizing their transferable skills in a variety of contexts, beyond those that are traditionally affiliated with their studies.

Details

Work-Integrated Learning in the 21st Century
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-859-8

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 June 2015

Herbert H. Tsang and Kay C. Wiese

The purpose of this paper is to present a study of the effect of different types of annealing schedules for a ribonucleic acid (RNA) secondary structure prediction algorithm based…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a study of the effect of different types of annealing schedules for a ribonucleic acid (RNA) secondary structure prediction algorithm based on simulated annealing (SA).

Design/methodology/approach

An RNA folding algorithm was implemented that assembles the final structure from potential substructures (helixes). Structures are encoded as a permutation of helixes. An SA searches this space of permutations. Parameters and annealing schedules were studied and fine-tuned to optimize algorithm performance.

Findings

In comparing with mfold, the SA algorithm shows comparable results (in terms of F-measure) even with a less sophisticated thermodynamic model. In terms of average specificity, the SA algorithm has provided surpassing results.

Research limitations/implications

Most of the underlying thermodynamic models are too simplistic and incomplete to accurately model the free energy for larger structures. This is the largest limitation of free energy-based RNA folding algorithms in general.

Practical implications

The algorithm offers a different approach that can be used in practice to fold RNA sequences quickly.

Originality/value

The algorithm is one of only two SA-based RNA folding algorithms. The authors use a very different encoding, based on permutation of candidate helixes. The in depth study of annealing schedules and other parameters makes the algorithm a strong contender. Another benefit is that new thermodynamic models can be incorporated with relative ease (which is not the case for algorithms based on dynamic programming).

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Computing and Cybernetics, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-378X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 April 2010

Mark Olver and Keira Stockdale

Empirical research concerning the reliability and predictive validity of the juvenile psychopathy construct, as assessed by the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL: YV;…

Abstract

Empirical research concerning the reliability and predictive validity of the juvenile psychopathy construct, as assessed by the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL: YV; Forth et al, 2003) is reviewed. The results of an updated meta‐analysis (k = 38) investigating the interrater reliability of the PCL: YV are presented, along with an examination of meta‐analytic findings on the predictive accuracy of the tool. Considerations with respect to gender, ethnicity and development are explored. Some discussion points are offered regarding potential clinical applications of the construct of juvenile psychopathy and the PCL: YV with violent and other criminally adjudicated youths.

Details

The British Journal of Forensic Practice, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6646

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 13 December 2021

James Cunningham and Simon S. Fraser

In this chapter, the authors explore the entrepreneurial nature of craft brewing. The authors find growth in the microbrewery sector has been supported through a cooperative…

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors explore the entrepreneurial nature of craft brewing. The authors find growth in the microbrewery sector has been supported through a cooperative approach between competing artisanal small firms. This has helped build competitive advantage in resistance to the dominant market forces of large brewers. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews with 12 craft brewers in the North East of Scotland. Analysed findings are used in the design of a conceptual model on the nature of collaboration in the craft beer sector. An artisanal scene is presented, where community benefit and continued development of the craft beer movement is prioritised, over commercial and strategic growth. The typically small firms in this area share resources and support each other in a drive to wean customers away from the large mainstream producers. The authors argue that the nature of the craft beer sector seeks to actively resist market dominance, not only through product quality and marketing, but also in the entrepreneurial behaviours enacted to sustain the movement. The findings suggest a co-existence of both collaboration and competition in the strategic decisions of craft brewers. The focus is on the locally embedded connections these firms develop in the maintenance of their craft roots, with a range of complex interconnected factors linking brewer, community, and the broader industry.

Details

Researching Craft Beer: Understanding Production, Community and Culture in An Evolving Sector
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80043-185-0

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 May 2015

Seonaidh McDonald, Bee Ching Gan, Simon S Fraser, Adekunle Oke and Alistair R. Anderson

The purpose of this paper is to address the research questions: which methodologies and data gathering methods are employed by researchers publishing in top entrepreneurship…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the research questions: which methodologies and data gathering methods are employed by researchers publishing in top entrepreneurship journals, and how has this changed over time?

Design/methodology/approach

The data gathering methods of research published in five top entrepreneurship journals between 1985 and 2013, a period of nearly three decades, were recorded.

Findings

The data demonstrate that entrepreneurship research is dominated by positivist approaches and data gathering methods, but that this picture is changing over time. The data also reveal differences in methods used in research published in North American and European journals.

Research limitations/implications

It is argued that increased discussion of the limitations, benefits and implications of research methods is needed across the field as a whole. It is concluded that although there is some methodological reflexivity in the field of a macro, abstract nature, there is little at the micro level of individual research designs.

Originality/value

There is a number of existing reviews of methods in the field but none over such a long time period that include such a large corpus of papers. Of particular value to scholars engaged in debates about the proportions and merits of different research methods is the identification of long-term trends away from primary data gathering in general and survey approaches in particular. Debates surrounding the existence of different regional “schools” of entrepreneurship will be informed by the differing patterns of methods found in the five outlets included in the study.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Expert briefing
Publication date: 28 May 2021

The response from Tabesa and the finance ministry was disproportionately hostile. That may be linked to a much-delayed in-country review of illicit activities that is being…

Details

DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB261780

ISSN: 2633-304X

Keywords

Geographic
Topical
Article
Publication date: 1 April 2006

Mary Westell

This paper proposes indicators for measuring the success of institutional repositories based on their demonstrated integration with other research initiatives and provides a…

4930

Abstract

Purpose

This paper proposes indicators for measuring the success of institutional repositories based on their demonstrated integration with other research initiatives and provides a snapshot of the current state of selected institutional repositories in Canada through a review of their web presence and their integration with university library and research pages.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the proposed indicators, an examination of the web sites of selected Canadian universities who are participating in the Canadian Association of Research Libraries Institutional Repository project was undertaken.

Findings

Institutional repositories are growing in Canada and that the Canadian IR community is on the way to the proposed model future – integration with existing university research practices.

Originality/value

Indicators such as those proposed in the paper can provide a basic framework for evaluating IR projects and highlight areas where the library can generate additional support for these worthwhile projects.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

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